The Transformers
The Instrument of Revenge
Chapter Four – Competition
The sun was beating down upon the crystal clear lake that surrounded the boundaries of Autobot City. It was a hot July day as two young local boys sat down upon a grassy bank to begin a day of fishing. Although it was only fifteen minutes pass eight o'clock in the morning, the heat from the sun felt like it was mid afternoon. Many would come to this place and similar locations around this large body of water to fish and swim even with the realization that an army of mechanical creatures presided over a city only several hundred feet away. They knew that these Transformers were the Autobots and were the protectors of peace and justice from the Decepticons not only on Earth, but the rest of the known galaxy. There was nothing to fear.
The boys cast their lines into the clean water watching them drop near the lake's bottom. There was no pollution or contaminates as one might expect to find being located so close to a city because the Autobots took great measure to ensure that everything around them was to be kept as pristine and as natural as they had found it.
The boys took notice of loud revving engine sounds emanating from the city walls and although they could not see what was happening their curiosity was peaked.
Autobot City was an immense place that stretched out in every direction for several miles. Located deep within a forest, away from central human populated areas, Autobot City was the place where the Autobots of Earth called home. The structures within were comprised of bronze colored Cybertronian metals and were resistant to most attacks. Said structures stretched high into the blue sky towering over the vast forested area while ramps and roadways extended almost everywhere to allow for the many vehicle configured Autobots.
Inside the walls of the alien city, the boys were hearing the sounds of an anticipated race. Arcee, Grimlock, Beachcomber and Springer were among the many who watched on as several of the Autobots fastest warriors prepared to engage in another type of battle. It was a battle for bragging rights. Among the revving engines were second in command Hot Rod, Jazz, Blurr and even a Transformer whose alternate mode was that of a fire truck, an Autobot named Inferno.
Arcee turned away from the race to look to Springer. "Not to sound negative, but why is Inferno in there?" Arcee was the only female Autobot on Earth and maybe the only female Autobot still in existence. Female Autobots had existed on Cybertron, but it had been years since anyone had last seen one aside from Arcee. She was female in physical appearance with an hourglass figure, lips with a lipstick looking color and even a chest area with a slight resemblance of breasts. Much of here exterior was pink and this only emphasized her female traits and character, but her adversaries quickly realized, that when engaged in combat, Arcee was as fierce a warrior as any.
Springer smiled at Arcee's question. "I think our old fire truck is feeling age creep up on him and he's wondering if he can still hang with the young." Springer was one of the few Autobot triplechangers and he could convert between his robot, automobile and helicopter modes with ease. Springer had a green colored exterior, held a large sword and carried a powerful blaster. He was a wisecracking but easy going Autobot who was among their elite and most trusted warriors.
Arcee nodded her head in disbelief. "Must be a male thing…"
The Autobots in the race urgently awaited the green light and at the head of the pack were Jazz and Hot Rod whom had qualified respectively first and second earlier in the day. The Great Autobot City Race was an annual event, but this race had boiled down to a rivalry between the two Autobots who were now at positions one and two. Jazz and Hot Rod had been claiming that each were going to win this event for weeks, and now it was time as the humans say "to put up or shut up".
Although Blurr was usually the fastest of the group in these races, he had been having trouble with his turbochargers for months and he required a complete overhaul. Parts were being custom built for him on Cybertron, but they would not be ready for sometime. Out of good spirits, Blurr was still participating, but he was not the odds on favorite on this day, like he had been so often in the past. Finally the lights went green and the racing Autobots were off.
Jazz and Hot Rod were nose to nose as they used their large amounts of torque to build up speed. Several car lengths behind them were Blurr and Lightspeed and trailing them were Streetwise and Pointblank. Last, but still moving along, was Inferno. His engines were running at nearly full speed, but he refused to yield. If this race took him twice as long as everyone else, he did not care. He would finish.
Now at cruising speeds, Jazz and Hot Rod tried to overtake one another. The two Autobots were so evenly matched however, it was proving to be difficult for each to do just that. First, Jazz managed to nudge ahead and then Hot Rod, but neither could get any car lengths on the other. "Stop trying to cramp my style Hot Rod. You ain't gettin' ahead of me…"
Hot Rod revved his engine once again. "I think the four million years you were asleep on the Ark left you a bit delusional Jazz, because I'm getting by." Hot Rod dropped a gear and finally shot ahead of his number one adversary. Jazz was not happy even though he was slightly impressed that Hot Rod was pushing this race to its limits.
The Technobot Lightspeed was closing behind Jazz and building momentum. Before he could even detect Jazz's exhaust however, Jazz dropped a gear himself and was once again nose to nose with the former commander of the Autobots. The wind was blowing hard against Jazz's windshield, but he ignored it and was determined to get ahead of his much younger opponent. Jazz managed to get several bumper lengths beyond Hot Rod but even he knew he could get no more. Hot Rod was already gaining and Jazz with victory on his mind, maneuvered into his lane.
Hot Rod was quick to hit the brakes, and slowed down log enough to avoid a collision, but he tramped on his gas yet again. The two were driving more aggressively now, swerving at each other and trying to get the other off of the track. It was inevitable that the two were going to collide, but it could not be predicted that they would take Lightspeed, Pointbank, Blurr and Streetwise with them. Jazz and Hot Rod hit each other hard and the two of them were sent flying through the air and crashing down hard upon the track. Blurr tried to dodge them, but it was too late and they dropped like dominos. Blurr hit Jazz, Lightspeed hit him and both Streetwise and Pointblank hit Lightspeed.
The track was filled with the six Autobot contenders, but slowly approaching from behind was Inferno who was still chugging along. The old fire truck dodged the damaged Autobots one by one until the victory line was in sight. Now, with little effort, Inferno crossed that line and achieved the win. The Autobots watching at the side line were cheering and applauding. While Grimlock laughed, Arcee ran out into the track to see to the injured Autobots. Although they took some fairly bad hits, no one had anything but minor damage. There was damage to their egos however and that was a different matter.
Jazz transformed to robot form and walked over to Hot Rod who himself had transformed, but was kneeling down trying to regain his composure. Jazz extended a hand, which Hot Rod grabbed to help return him to his feet. Jazz smiled. "I'm sorry my friend. Things gotta a little out of hand…" Hot Rod returned the smile. "Forget it. Let's see how the winner is doing."
By now Inferno had been hoisted onto the shoulders of Grimlock, Sludge and Snarl as Jazz and Hot Rod moved towards them. Arcee gave the two Autobots a disappointing glance as she walked by to attend to the other recuperating racers. "Boys and their toys…" she mumbled beneath her breath as she helped Blurr to his feet.